Reel spindle adapter knob



. July 10, 1951 M H, HUTT 2,560,225

REEL SPINDLE ADAPTER KNOB Filed Sept. 29, 1950 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR MIL'IDN H-HU T ATTORNEY July 10, 1951 M. H. HUTT REEL SPINDLE ADAPTER KNOB 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Sept. 29, 1950 3 0 ill a 4 "a n 6 IIHWPN Z 8 I Z 0 i t {.1 t k M\ \N \\n ///////////////A E 7//////// ///////Z INVENTOR MILTON I-i. Hu'r'r ATTORNEY l 'atented l0,

,s tazzs REEL SPINDLE ADAPTER KNOB Milton H. Hutt, Moorestown, N. 5., assignor to 1'' America, a corporation Radio Corporation of Delaware Application September 29, 1950, Serial No. 187,533

, Claims.

The present invention relates to reeling systems and more particularly to reel spindle adapter knobs.

In certain web reeling systems, more than one standard has been adopted for the diameter of the spindle hole in the reels. An example of a field in which such a plural standard has been adopted is the artof magnetic tape recording. In this field, one of the standard reels has a central hole in diameter, while the other standard reel has a central opening three inches in diameter. In apparatus upon which these reels are to be used the machine must be designed to accommodate a particular one of the above standard reels. As an alternative, the machine may be designed to accommodate one of the reels and a suitable attachment provided to adapt the machine to accommodate the other ofthe reels.

It is an object of the present invention to provide an improved knob attachment which will adapt a reel spindle to accommodate either of two reels having central openings of different diameters.

Another object of the present invention is the provision of an adapter knob as set forth above and which is quickly detachable from the reel spindle.

p A further object of the present invention is to provide an adapter knob of the type set forth and which provides positive locking of the knob on the spindle.

Still another object of the present invention is theprovision of an adapter knob of the type set forth and which permits the reels of the larger diameter to be changed without necessitating the removal of the knob from the spindle.

In accomplishing these and other objects there has been provided a knob with a central opening of such diameter as to fit a standard spindle of the smaller diameter of the two standards. In the interior of the knob there is a locking device which secures the knob to the spindle. outer diameter of the knob is slightlyless than the diameter of the hole in the larger of the two standard reels. About the periphery of the knob is a transversely split ring of spring metal. This ring preferably has tapered edges whereby the largest diameter of the ring is slightly larger than the diameter of the hole in the larger of the two standardreels. The transverse split in the ring permits the ring to be compressed so that the reel with the larger diameter may be readily slipped over it.

A better understanding of this invention may be had from the following detailed description The when read in connection with the accompanying drawings in which Figure 1 is a perspective view of a knob constructed in accordance with the present invention,

Figure 2 is partly exploded view of the. knob of Figure 1,

Figure 3 is a side view, partly in cross-section, showing the details of the knob of Figure 1,

Figure 4 is a back view of the knob,

Figure 5 is a side view, partly in cross-section, partly cut away, showing the knob in position on a spindle as it is used with a reel having the smaller of the two standard openings, and

Figure 6 is a view similar to Figure 5 but showing the knob associated with a reel having the larger of the two standard openings.

Referring tothe drawings in. greater detail, in Figures 1 and 2, there is shown a knob having a main body portion 2, a back plate 4, and a transversely split resilient ring 6 mounted in a periph: eral groove formed at the junction of themain body and the back plate. A clamping plate 8 has a free end In which extends through an opening l2 in the main body of the knob. Protruding through the center of the front of the knob is a clamping plate locking screw it. There is a tang l6 secured to the inner surface of the split ring 6 which, when the knob is assembled, fits into a slot IS in the rim Zil of the main body 2.

In Fig. 3, the knob is shown in cross-section to more clearly show the interrelation of the several components. As may be seen on the drawing, the main body 2 has a recess 22 formed in its rear surface. A spacer late 24, and the clamping plate 8 are mounted in the recess and secured to the main body 2 by a screw 26. A spring 28 is carried in a hole 30 in the main body and biases the clamping plate 8 towards the rear of the knob. The spring passes through a suitable opening 32 in the spacer plate 24. The clamping plate locking screw l4 has a knurled outer end 34, a smooth shank 36 and a threaded inner end 38. A hole 40 is provided through the center of the main body to receive the smooth shank of the locking screw Hi. The spacer plate 24 has a hole 42 that is threaded to match the threaded end 33 of the locking screw. The rim 29 on the main body is substantially cylindrical. A lip portion 44 on the main body extends radially beyond the rim 20.

The back plate 4 is attached to the main body by a pair of screws d6. When the back plate is secured to the main body, the lip 44, the rim 20 and the front face of the back plate form a pcripheral groove about the assembly in which the split ring 5 is mounted. A small rim 48 on the outer forward edge of the back plate serves to retain the split ring in the groove. The rear face of the back plate has a recess 50 in which is mounted a pressure plate 52. The pressure plate is supported on a plurality of loose rivets or studs 54 and biased away from the back plate by a spring 56 surrounding each of the support studs 54. Through the entire assembly there is an opening adapted to receive the spindle 58 of a reeling system (Figures 5 and 6). This opening includes aligned holes in the pressure plate 50, in the back plate 62, in the clamping plate 54, and in the locking screw 66. These holes have a diameter such as will fit snugly about the spin- .dle without binding. However, the spring 28 tends to force the clamping plate 8 to a position where the hole 64 therein is axially misaligned with the other holes. This misalignment clamps the knob assembly onto the spindle. The direction of the misalignment is such that a force applied to the knob in aidirection to remove the knob from the spindle tends to tighten the clamping action. Since the knob must be readily removable from the spindle, an aperture 12 is provided in the side of the main body. The free end I of the clamp.- ing' plate 8 extends through the aperture l2 where, by finger pressure, the clamping force may be relieved and the knob removed from the spindle.

To provide a more positive clamping force and to prevent the clamping plate from being accidentally released when the knob is in position on the spindle, the locking screw I 4 ma be tightened to bear against the face of the clamping plate, looking it in position. The rear view of the knob shown in Figure i illustrates the spatial relationship among the several parts. It may also be seen in Figure 4 that a pair of holes (0 are provided through the pressure plate 52 to allow access to the pair of screws which secures the back plate 4 to the main body 2.

"The split ring 6 is preferably made with the largest diameter substantially at its midsection 12 and slanting inwardly to the edges. There is anarrow rim [4 formed on one edge which cooperates with the rim 48 on the back plate to retain the'ring in the earlier mentioned groove.

In machines with which the knob of the present invention is adapted to be used, there is provideda reel spindle 58 which protrudes through mounting panel 16. Secured to the spindlegin front of the mounting panel is a disc 18 with a friction surface 80' of rubber" or some similar material; When the knob is to be used with a reel 82 having the smaller of the two'standard spindle openings, as shown in Figure 5, the reel is' put on the spindle 58 first. The knob is then 'put on and pressed against the side of the reel until the pressure plate' 52 compresses the springs 56. This assures that the reel 82 will be held tight against the friction surface 80. When the knob is to be used with a reel 84 having the larger opening, as shown in Figure 6, the knob'is put on the spindle B first and pressed against the friction surface 86 until the springs 56 are compressed, as before. The reel may then be slipped over the knob as shown in phantom 84 'pastthe split ring 6 to the operating position shown in solid lines 84. The slanting forward surface 86 of the split ring facilitates the compressing of the split ring'bythe reel to permit the passage of the reelthereover. Since the split ring is made of spring metal, the slanting rearward surface 88 of the ring provides a component of force which presses the reel 84 against the friction surface 80. When the knob is used thus with the larger reel, there may be exhibited a tendency for the reel to cause the split ring to slip in the groove. To overcome this tendency the tang I6 (shown in Figures 2 and 3) was provided. The tang fits into the slot IS in the rim 20 on the main body, preventing relative rotation between the knob and the ring. To remove the reel having the larger opening, it is not necessary to first remove the knob from the spindle. Instead, the reel may be slipped ofi of the knob by exerting enough pressure on it to overcome the pressure of the split ring.

Thus it may be seen that there has been provided a simple, eificient adapter knob for reeling systems which renders a reeling system suitable for use with reels having central openings of either of two standard diameters.

While but a single example of the knob constituting the present invention has been described and illustrated, other forms or modifications of the device, which do not depart from the spirit and scope of this invention, will be obvious to those skilled in the art. An example of such a modification might include different means for clamping the knob to the spindle as by a collet or chuck arrangement.

What is claimed is:

1. A knob for adapting reel spindles to accomodate either of two reels having spindle opening of difierent diameters, the opening in one of the reels being substantially larger than the opening in the other, said knob comprising, in combination, a main body portion, a back plate secured to said main body portion, a peripheral groove being formed about the main body portion at the junction of said main body and said back plate, a resilient ring mounted in said groove, said ring having a maximum diameter at the midsection thereof and slanting inwardly to the edges thereof, said maximum diameter being slightly larger than the diameter of the opening in the reel having the largest opening, the diameter of the ring at the edges being slightly less than the diameter of said largest opening. said knob having a central hole therethrough adapted to receive a spindle, and clamping means on said knob for securing said knob to said spindle.

2. The invention as set forth in claim 1 and wherein said resilient ring is made of spring metal and has a transverse split therein.

3. A knob as set forth in claim 2 and wherein means are added to prevent relative rotational movement between said ring and said main body.

4. A knob as set forth in claim 1 and wherein said clamping means comprises .a clamping plate loosely fastened to said main body, said clamping plate having a hole therein adapted to receive a spindle, said hole being substantially in alignment with said central hole through said knob, and spring means for biasing said clamping plate to a position whereat the hole therein is axially misaligned with said central hole.

5. A knob for adapting a reel spindle to accommodate either of two reels having spindle openings of different diameters, the opening in one of the reels being substantially larger than the opening in the other, said knob comprising a main body portion, a back plate secured to said main body portion, a peripheral groove being formed about the main body portion at the junction of said main body and, said back plate, a spring metal ring mounted in said groove, said ring having a maximum diameter at the midsection thereof and slanting inwardly to the edges thereof, said maximum diameter being slightly larger than the diameter of the opening in the reel having the largest opening, the diameter of the ring at the edge being slightly less than the diameter of said largest opening, said knob having a central hole therethrough adapted to receive a spindle, and clamping means on said knob for securing 'said knob to said spindle, said clamping means including a clamping plate having a free end,

No references cited. 

